Kruger National Park: Update on the upgrading & refurbishment infrastructure programme! [update]

update (04 October 2023): SANParks has published "appreciation posts" on facebook. According to the postings, works at the Shingwedzi Main Building Roof seems complete and  the Lower Sabie Petrol station will open again soon. We'll keep you posted!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released an update on the upgrading and refurbishment infrastructure programme that is currently taking place in Kruger National Park. The project was announced in May 2022, began in July last year and is set to run for three years. Funds for the upgrading and refurbishment infrastructure programme include payments from insurers, contributions from the National Department of Tourism but are predominantly from an Infrastructure Development Programme allocation to SANParks from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

Almost a year later, progress which is measurable has been achieved in several projects as listed below.

• Rebuilding of the burnt Letaba Shop is 60% complete and the shop is scheduled to be operational by July 2023.
• Lower Sabie Petrol Station is 90% complete and is scheduled to be operational by May 2023
• Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub (Phase 1) is 65% complete and is expected to be complete by the end of July 2023
• Upgrading of staff accommodation at Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara and Olifants Rest Camps as well as Phabeni K9 has commenced whilst the construction and upgrading of 20 staff housing at Skukuza is nearly completed
• Construction of the Shingwedzi Main Building Roof is at 40% complete, several challenges and delays were experienced, the project is to complete by end July 2023.
• Shangoni Gate Development (Phase I) which includes the Shangoni Reception facility is at 65% construction including civil works, the Picnic and Camping Site have been delayed due to an amendment in the Environmental Authorization.
• Repair and upgrading of the viewing deck at Skukuza Rest camp which was impacted by termites is completed and in use already.
• Repair and upgrading of restaurant viewing deck at Olifants camp impacted by termites is also completed and already in use.
• Several tourism units have gone through refurbishment and are completed at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, Biyamiti and Bateleur Bush Camps.
• Repairing of the leaking and damaged thatch roofs at Shingwedzi and Mopani Rest camps is in progress.
• The construction and upgrading of Punda Maria luxury tents and Sweni trails camp will commence in June 2023. Delays on these projects were caused by the designs and late appointment of the contractors.
• Management is looking at appointing contractors for resurfacing and re-graveling of the roads.

According to Kruger National Park Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu, SANParks is on course to meet the deadlines which were set out at the beginning of the project. Mr. Mthimkhulu further gave an update on the roads damaged by the heavy rains and floods that took place in and around Kruger National Park in February and early March 2023. Most gravel roads that were damaged and temporarily closed have now re-opened although a few remain closed. The main road between Skukuza and Lower-Sabie is going to be a long-term project because of the extensive damage caused.